Rye Middle School Principal Ann Edwards was among those to send a letter of her own to parents with words of caution regarding the show, which includes depictions of rape, substance abuse, cyber bullying, voyeurism, and suicide.

“Some viewers and mental health organizations are beginning to question the series and its appropriation for impressionable young viewers,” she wrote.

According to officials, producers of the series are portraying the series as an “important dialogue” about teenage abuse, bullying and suicide. In his letter, Manno noted that the National Association of School Psychologists “cautions that its powerful storytelling may lead impressionable viewers to sensationalize the choices made by the character and/or develop revenge fantasies.”

“They say they hope the series can help those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide,” he said. “However, the mental health community worries that the series undermines the importance of help-seeking strategies, exposes students to multiple traumas and romanticizes the idea of suicide.”

There are several resources from mental health organizations to help parents become more educated and informed: